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Baby names

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Original poster

Clara or Poppy?

106 replies

NamelessNinja · 24/02/2024 01:36

Down to our final two names on the shortlist and desperate to give this girl a name! Any thoughts or opinions to help?

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Daisybuttercup12345 · 06/03/2024 21:10

Clara.

KirstenBlest · 03/03/2024 17:03

@ladycarlotta , I didn't say the Soph-ee-a and Mar-ee-a weren't previously correct in other countries, but if I saw the names in a historical context like a family tree of 19th century literature, I'd use the common English pronunciation of that time.
It's nothing to do with preference.

For example, in a book by Dickens I'd say Clara as Clair-a. In a play by Shakespeare I'd say Mar-eye-a. If I taught a Clara and Maria I'd say Kla-ra and Mar-ee-a.

ladycarlotta · 03/03/2024 15:09

KirstenBlest · 01/03/2024 20:03

@BigFluffyHoodie , the Clah-ra pronunciation is a recent one. It was Clair-a before. Sophia was Soph-eye-a until about 1990.
I'm not Scottish.

Sophia Gardens - Wikipedia was always Soph-eye-a

I quite like the Clair-a pronunciation but not Clah-ra

Edited

this varies country to country. The traditional English version of Sophia and Maria were Soph-eye-a and Mar-eye-a (like Carey) but in other European countries, the pronunciations we use more often now were also always correct. Soph-ee-a actually became more common in the 18th century because of the German royal family.
Same with Clara. Clair-uh might be trad in English but it comes from the Latin which very much sounds 'ahh' and not 'air'. Same in other languages in which it is a traditional name such as Spanish, German, and Swedish. And the Italian Chiara which also had the -ahh sound.
You might prefer one pronunciation over another but both are correct in English and have extensive precedent.

Babla · 02/03/2024 00:44

Both lovely

SushiSushi · 02/03/2024 00:04

Clara

FluffyToesMeow · 01/03/2024 23:54

Love Clara.

serin · 01/03/2024 23:41

Poppies are droopy and die after a day. I hate the sound of the word as well.

KirstenBlest · 01/03/2024 20:03

@BigFluffyHoodie , the Clah-ra pronunciation is a recent one. It was Clair-a before. Sophia was Soph-eye-a until about 1990.
I'm not Scottish.

Sophia Gardens - Wikipedia was always Soph-eye-a

I quite like the Clair-a pronunciation but not Clah-ra

glasshalffull0 · 01/03/2024 19:49

Poppy is such a lovely beautiful name

Clara is also nice too but there's just something that makes it not THE name for me personally

CadyEastman · 01/03/2024 19:38

Poppy is a bit 2010. Nice enough but it's definitely had its day.

Clara is so much nicer.

lavenderjump · 01/03/2024 16:21

Clara for sure! Simple and classy and suits any age

HelloDarlingWhatAreYouDoingHere · 01/03/2024 16:12

Clara - there are loads of Poppys!

mintich · 01/03/2024 14:42

Clara definitely!

Terningbay · 01/03/2024 14:36

VoiletBee89 · 29/02/2024 19:03

To jump on this, we have Clara in our shortlist too but DH wants to use Cici as a nickname when she's younger, does this work!?

Yes I don’t see why you can’t use a Cici as nickname. Some people have nicknames not even related to a name.

Terningbay · 01/03/2024 14:35

NamelessNinja · 24/02/2024 19:01

Wow I didn't expect so many replies and polarising opinions! 😂 Thanks all, opinions were very helpful.
We've settled on Clara 😊 very happy the decision is made and she is no longer nameless!

Good choice! Before I saw your update I was going to comment that I love Clara, it was on my list. I also loved Poppy as a teen (I knew a couple and thought it was really cool), but think it’s been a bit overused now. Clara is beautiful.

KirstenBlest · 01/03/2024 11:44

VoiletBee89 · 29/02/2024 19:03

To jump on this, we have Clara in our shortlist too but DH wants to use Cici as a nickname when she's younger, does this work!?

No

trainboundfornowhere · 29/02/2024 20:52

Clara

VoiletBee89 · 29/02/2024 19:03

To jump on this, we have Clara in our shortlist too but DH wants to use Cici as a nickname when she's younger, does this work!?

ChocolateCinderToffee · 25/02/2024 09:13

Clara. Poppy is a name for a pet.

pilates · 25/02/2024 06:13

Congratulations and good choice 🌺

MaloneMeadow · 24/02/2024 22:28

Congratulations OP! Beautiful choice, I love Clara ❤️

PennyPugwash · 24/02/2024 20:34

Clara ✨

Kittybelle123 · 24/02/2024 19:36

Beautiful 😍 well done on your decision ❤️Clara is lovely - I used to watch the Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker (not Barbie, but I am not averse to it.....!) every year with my grandmother. To me, it's an enchanting and beautiful name ❤️

Hibernatalie · 24/02/2024 19:32

100% Clara. I love it and it's under used.

Onelife2024 · 24/02/2024 19:25

NamelessNinja · 24/02/2024 19:01

Wow I didn't expect so many replies and polarising opinions! 😂 Thanks all, opinions were very helpful.
We've settled on Clara 😊 very happy the decision is made and she is no longer nameless!

Lovely ☺️ Thanks so much for letting us know! And congratulations!